Cameron Smith and Billy Slater in action for Melbourne Storm. Source: Scott Barbour / Getty Images
EXCLUSIVE: THE Melbourne Storm are poised to lose arguably their greatest player, skipper Cameron Smith, to Brisbane.
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The Herald Sun understands the Brisbane Broncos are increasingly likely to snare the Melbourne superstar, who is said to be favouring a move back to his home state for the sake of his young family.
But Storm is refusing to budge on next season – the final year of Smith's contract – ruling out any possibility of an early release for the Queensland and Test captain.
Storm are expecting an update from Smith when he returns from a family overseas holiday in Fiji ahead of Friday night's Storm's Player of the Year awards.
Storm football boss Frank Ponissi was on Wednesday night adamant no decision had been made.
"We appreciate and respect the fact it is a massive decision for Cameron and his family," he said.
"But absolutely no decision has been made on where he will play from 2015 onwards.
"He will tell us in due course and we dispute a decision has already been made."
The club has been in formal talks with Smith for some time.
But the two parties are no closer to reaching a deal, despite both agreeing a decision on Smith's future must be made before the start of next season.
Both club and player want the matter settled well before round one to avoid ongoing speculation overshadowing the club's 2014 campaign.
The Broncos – who cannot formally approach Smith until November 1 - are believed to be confident of landing the game's best hooker with a deal to the tune of $1 million a season.
The move has the backing of former Brisbane greats Darren Lockyer and Steve Renouf, with both urging the Broncos to open the chequebook to secure him.
But the Broncos will not secure him for next season, despite speculation Melbourne may allow him to head north a year early.
Sources close to the club have told The Herald Sun that Smith has not asked for an early release, nor would it be granted under any circumstances.
Family is the major reason for Smith's expected move.
Smith this year conceded he and wife Barbara, who have three children, miss family support networks on offer in Brisbane.
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